Ladies Only: She Wee

“Why squat, when you can stand?”

As a female medical operator working in many different environments, I can honestly say that women are at a disadvantage,anatomy wise, when “Nature” calls. Being out in the middle of an open plain with no bushes or any kind of concealment with your crew of male counter parts, it is very discouraging as well as inconvenient when you have to urinate.

A great solution to this problem that I have purchased is the “She Wee”. It essentially is a funnel designed to fit the female anatomy so that you are able to stand up to urinate without the hassle of taking down your pants. This apparatus can  accommodate multi layers of clothing simply by adding an extension to the end of the funnel.

Make Ready with John Chapman: NVG/IR Skill Builder

Recently Panteao Productions and John Chapman have released: Make Ready with John Chapman: NVG / IR Skill Builder in DVD format. Panteao Productions produces instructional videos taught by proven leaders and instructors within the tactical industry. While video training will never replace a professional applied curriculum under the watchful eye of an instructor, training time and funds are always at a premium. The name of their instructional video series is “Make Ready”; produced in a one-on-one training layout. The videos are available in DVD, Blue Ray and internet streaming format. Panteao is currently planning release of their ‘Make Ready” series for iOS and Android platforms.

BUIS: Back Up Iron Sights

Photo from CF Combat Camera

I have noticed a disturbing  trend; soldiers deploying to hostile areas with only a primary sight on their weapon. Those little rubber nubs, that get worn off within a week, on the C79 optical sight are not enough. The Canadian Forces issues a plastic fixed sight with a flip apertures which is more than adequate.  There is much higher quality back up iron sights on the market as well. In some cases, the Quarter Master may be out of the issue back up sights. However, most of these soldiers are dripping with personal purchased equipment but not a decent set of BUIS. I will assume it has never been impressed upon them the importance of a redundant sighting system.

Interview with Earl Green, Phase Line Green Tactical

While I was travelling in Ontario, Whiskey Delta Gulf introduced me to a long time friend, Earl Green, from Phase Line Green Tactical. I had heard of Earl Green from other tactical operators prior to meeting with him. This was a great opportunity to pick his brain and to share on the blog.

The Gunfighter’s Guide to Medical Kit, Part 2

In The Gunfighter’s Guide to Medical Kit, Part 1, we looked at the personal tourniquet and its storage plus requirements for a rescue hook. In Part 2, we will discuss the IFAK, its placement , marking and requirements, some possible loadouts and other equipment required for the individual tactical operator in the field. 

Where ever you deploy, Whatever the gig,
you will need a basic level of medical kit

The Gunfighter’s Guide to Medical Kit, Part One

With some consistency, I am proffered with well-meaning advice from gunfighters on how to set up my fighting rig. This advice would be right on the money, if my primary role is kicking in doors and making friends. Not to say, I haven’t picked a few tidbits on efficiency.  I am a tactical medic. Like the sapper or signaler,  my gear setup bears some resemblance to the gunfighter but with specific differences based on our primary role. Nevertheless, there is a basic minimum of medical gear common to all; whether gunfighter, medic, sapper or signaler.  

This is the first of two part article on the basic minimum medical gear we should all be carrying into harm’s way. This doctrine has been complied from my experiences as a medic and infanteer from deployments and training venues, as an operator, student and instructor.This information should be of particular interest to LEO tactical officers for both their daily carry and active shooter/raid kit.

Interview with Darren Cole, One Shot Tactical Supply

Darren Cole of OSTS filling a customer's
order from the online store

I was travelling to Ontario for the first time in many years and took the opportunity to visit an old friend; Darren Cole. As the president of One Shot Tactical Supply, he has brought his company from the basement of a farm house to an online store to a large retail outlet servicing civilian shooters, military units, and police agencies in Canada.

5.11 Pistol Training 1.5 with Kyle E. Lamb

Mulligan: verb, a Mulligan, in a game, happens when a player gets a second chance to perform a certain move or action; usually due to lack of skill or bitter luck. A "Do-Over" in Canadian street hockey.

“There are no mulligans in the street” SGM (Ret.) Kyle E. Lamb

Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault Pack

Geocaching in Cyprus

On my last deployment, taking advantage of the USA APO, I ordered a Mystery Ranch 3Day Assault Pack BVS in Foliage. The choice of Foliage or, as I call it, Feld Grun was specific; it can pass for a civilian style day bag with a cursory glance.  Many European bags are made in a similar moss grey green colour. The purchase was well researched through contact with various end users who had used the bag on combat operations. Immediately, upon opening the packaging, I was impressed with the construction and attention to detail. This is a bag for all seasons, full spectrum operations and multiple roles from signaler to medic to gunfighter.

Pelican 1910 Flashlight

As a tactical medic, I like to have lots of lights available to me. Tactically, I prescribed to the Tactical Trinity of Lights; a dedicated weaponlight, a vest/belt kit handheld and a uniform pocket backup light. For medical work, I have both a helmet light and a vest mounted light. As part of my Every Day Carry or EDC, I always have, at least, a light capable of navigating by. For the last year that light has been the Pelican 1910. It is small, unobtrusive and can be carried, even in business attire, without drawing attention. Is it a primary tactical light? NO! It is more of a tertiary tactical light or light duty EDC flashlight.